Working too hard? Here’s how to chill out and not lose it

A growing number of New Jersey residents are working two or three jobs to make ends meet. Or they’re obligated to always be “on-call” on their cell phone 24-7, and wind up constantly working, even on weekends.

According to Barbara Pachter, a New Jersey business etiquette and communications expert, this pattern of behavior is unhealthy and dangerous.

“Work can take a toll on your body," she said. "Oftentimes, there’s stress involved, people have less sleep, you’re not necessarily eating well."

This may not show up right away, but sooner or later it will.

“Ultimately it will take a toll, so you do need to take care of yourself. Get away from work and go to the gym, make sure you have some quiet time, read a book. I know it’s not always easy, but it’s really important because ultimately if you don’t do it, your body is going to force you to do it,” she said.

Pachter, and president of Pachter & Associates in Cherry Hill, says if you never take a break from working, your attitude will probably suffer.

“You’re so intent on getting stuff done, you may lose creativity in the process,” she said.

The key to dealing with long hours, she suggests, is exercise.

“People say that a lot, but it really makes a difference. And it may just be a 20-minute walk in the morning or at the end of the day, if you can. Or on your way home, stop at the gym for 20 minutes. You’ll feel better and if you have to go to work, you’ll at least be more refreshed.”

If you don’t belong to a gym or it’s too nasty outside to walk, “there’s other things people can do: 20 minutes of stretching, yoga, getting off into a corner by yourself can help relieve the stress.”

She also says it's "really important" that people get enough sleep.

You can contact reporter David Matthau at David.Matthau@townsquaremedia.com.